ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Private sector has a key role in India’s growth recovery, Government will be a good facilitator: Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
Transparency and tax stability key guiding principles for this year’s budget
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said that while the Union Budget 2021-22 provides for enhanced capital expenditure by the Government, it also envisages private sector participation in a big way. Smt. Sitharaman addressed top CEOs at an virtual interaction with the Confederation of Indian Industry  on the Union Budget 2021-22 here today.
The Finance Minister elaborated that though the Government will provide some capital for the proposed Development Finance Institution , the DFI will also raise capital from the market. In addition, the DFI Bill will provide legislative space for private DFIs. Similarly, the Asset Reconstruction Company  for the management of non-performing assets  will be floated as a holding company by the banks themselves, with support from the government.
Sharing the key guiding principles for the budget, Finance Minister emphasised the focus on transparency. Contrary to the expectations of a COVID-19 tax, the Government has chosen to fund the budget stimulus through higher borrowing, rather than increased taxes.
Elaborating on the thrust areas, the Finance Minister expressed that the stress has been on areas with high multipliers such as infrastructure which would facilitate the private sector, such as power, roads, ports, airports, etc. Healthcare and Agriculture have been the other priorities.
Urging for a continued dialogue, Smt. Sitharaman said that her interactions with CII have helped bring in ‘contemporary thinking in policy making’. The Finance Minister promised a ‘honest leakage free implementation’ of the budget proposals.
Sharing the industry response to the budget proposals, Shri Uday Kotak, President, CII, said that the budget was an example of an outstanding policy document which addresses the needs of the economy. He appreciated the boldness of the announcements, and the focus on growth and transparency. He complimented the budget team for the mindset of encouraging private enterprise and respecting the markets, as displayed in the budget proposals.
Shri Kotak reassured the Finance Minister that the private sector will help transform India alongside the Government for the common purpose of building a truly great India.
Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Finance & Revenue Secretary, Shri T. V. Somanathan, Secretary, Expenditure and Shri Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, Economic Affairs besides more than 180 industry captains from across the country, participated in the interaction.
Vice President's Secretariat
Synergic functioning of Legislature, Judiciary and Executive is vital for democracy – Vice President
Vice President praises Indian constitution as one of the world’s finest constitutions
Indian parliamentary democracy is a guiding light for other democracies of the world – Shri Dhankhar
Vice President delivers a talk on Constitution Day -2022 at IIC
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today underlined that synergic functioning of Legislature, Judiciary and Executive, the three facets of governance, is vital for democracy.
He emphasised that the sublimity of Doctrine of Separation of Powers is realised when Legislature, Judiciary and Executive optimally function in tandem and togetherness, meticulously ensuring scrupulous adherence to respective jurisdictional domain. He urged all those at the helm of these august institutions to seriously ponder and reflect so that there can be evolution of a healthy wholesome ecosystem in consonance with the spirit and essence of the Constitution.
The Vice President made these remarks while delivering a talk on the topic “The Constitution of India & Indian Democracy: Have the Legislature, Judiciary & Executive remained true to their constitutional mandate?” on the occasion of Constitution Day -2022 at India International Centre in New Delhi today.
Describing the Indian constitution as one of the world’s finest constitutions, Shri Dhankhar said that the Members of the Constituent Assembly were enormously talented with impeccable credentials and immense experience. “With each election there has been progressively authentic enhancement in the representation gradient. Presently the parliament reflects with authenticity the will, aspirations and ordainment of the people as never before,” he added.
Referring to the words “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA” from the preamble of the Constitution, the Vice President stressed that ordainment of the people reflected by way of sanctified mechanism through their duly elected representatives in legislature is supreme and is an inalienable spinal feature of our constitution.
Observing that the instruments of change in the form of provisions for amendment make the Constitution a constantly evolving testament, the Vice President highlighted that the framers had envisaged that situations will arise which will make it imperative upon the legislature to amend the Constitution in consonance with the need of the hour. In this regard, he cited the example of the incorporation of Part IX, IX A and IX B through amendments through which a transformative mechanism for Panchayati Raj, Municipalities and Co-operative Societies was introduced.
Describing the Indian parliamentary democracy as a guiding light for other democracies of the world, the Vice President called upon everyone to take a pledge to promote the values enshrined in our Constitution and strive to build a Bharat that our founding fathers had envisioned.
Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC, Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, Trustees of the IIC and other dignitaries were present.
Ministry of Education
Union HRD Minister chairs a high level meeting to review progress of Institutions of Eminence  Scheme
Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired a high level meeting to review the progress of the Public and Private institutions which were considered to be given the status of Institutions of Eminence on the advice of UGC and the Empowered Expert Committee under the leadership of N. Gopalaswamy. Secretary, MHRD Shri Amit Khare and senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the HRD Minister said that all the institutions recognised under IoE Scheme are the foundation stones in making a New and better India and they have to lead the new generation towards excellence. He said that the focus of our government is to provide quality education to the students of the country, especially in the areas of research and innovation. The Minister added that these institutions have towork hard to improve their position in global rankings and to make these institutions, the centres of excellence at global level. The Minister also reviewed the status of infrastructure and human resource in these institutions and assured to extend maximum support to them by the Ministry for high quality teaching and research and for the advancement of knowledge.
Various decisions taken during the meeting to empower these institutions and to help them become world class teaching and research institutions are as follows:
- Institutions will invite Nobel laureates, academicians, professors, foreign faculty etc to visit Indian educational institutions to enlarge and deepen the interface of India’s institutions of higher learning and globally recognised institutions of academic eminence.
- All the balance amount for the year 2019-2020 and new amount/funds to be paid to these institutions may be paid in the current financial year.
- Entire architecture for giving access to Research Journals to be reviewed and open access may be provided to the institutions under IoE.
- One Project Monitoring Unit to be established to monitor the progress of these institutions and activities undertaken by them.
- These institutions may adopt and develop model villages as part of the Unnat Bharat scheme for sustainable development in rural India.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
REVIVAL OF SARASVATI RIVER
As reported by the Government of Haryana, in the year 2017, Government of Haryana has established a Centre of Excellence for Research on the Sarasvati River  in Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. The mission of CERSR is to geo-scientifically characterize the paleochannels and validate the antiquity of culture and civilization nurtured by the sacred Saraswati River system of the Indian subcontinent. Initially an amount of Rs. 20 lakh was sanctioned to CERSR. At present, an annual Grant-in-Aid of Rs. 50 lakh is being provided to CERSR.
In addition, in the year 2015, Government of Haryana constituted Sarasvati Heritage Development Board. The Board has the mission to revive Sarasvati river with the mission ‘Sarasvati flows on’ and to revive its heritages on the course of Sarasvati river, raise awareness about richness and importance of Sarasvati heritage, develop tourism, cultural corridor, construct/development of water bodies and support the research documents, compile research papers, publications of journals, monographs and reports etc. pertaining to Sarasvati river and its heritages on the Palaeochannel.
The Sarasvati Heritage Development Board undertakes following specific activities to raise awareness among public:
- The Board celebrates Sarasvati Mahotsav every year on the eve of Basant Panchami;
- The Board organize international conferences and seminars every year in collaboration with reputed universities and colleges; and
- A chapter on Sarasvati Indus civilization has been incorporated in the curriculum of class X.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA participates in “Intersolar Europe 2023” Exhibition in Munich, engages with global stakeholders to drive transition to a more sustainable future
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency  participated in the three-day "Intersolar Europe 2023" exhibition held in Munich, Germany from 14th to 16th June, 2023. IREDA, a Mini Ratna  Government of India enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, had set up a pavilion at the exhibition to educate visitors about the organization. Visitors to the pavilion had the opportunity to learn about IREDA's initiatives in financing renewable energy projects, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting the growth of renewable energy sector in India. The pavilion also served as a platform for networking and exploring potential business opportunities with IREDA, especially at the crucial time of energy transition and Initial Public Offering  plan of IREDA.
The pavilion was inaugurated by CMD, IREDA, Pradip Kumar Das. Speaking about the participation of IREDA at the exhibition the CMD said: "Intersolar Europe provided a valuable opportunity for IREDA to showcase our accomplishments and expertise in Renewable Energy Financing domain. We are happy to have been a part of this esteemed exhibition. It allowed us to engage with global stakeholders to foster collaborations, exchange ideas, and drive the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future."
At the exhibition, team IREDA held meeting with KfW Development Bank to review the progress of the current line of credit, technical assistance and discussed potential future collaborations to support new and emerging renewable energy technologies. A meeting was held also with Commerz Bank, Germany to explore collaborative opportunities and advancing partnerships.
IREDA officials also visited RCT GMbH at Konstanz, and a brief presentation was made by them on their global operations. RCT GMbH is the technology provider for Indosol Solar Manufacturing project, and the two sides discussed the technology, milestones, and capital and operating expenditures for the project.
IREDA's participation in “Intersolar Europe 2023” highlights its commitment to contributing to the global Renewable Energy landscape and fostering sustainable development practices. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, IREDA continues to play a pivotal role in India's journey towards achieving its Renewable Energy goals and addressing the challenge of climate change.
AYUSH
Signing Ceremony of Letter of Exchange between Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and the who on Coopertaion in the field Traditional Medicine
The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the World Health Organization South East Regional Office  signed a Letter of Exchange  for the secondment/deputation of an AYUSH expert to WHO’s regional traditional medicine programme in New Delhi, India amidst a signing ceremony organized at WHO-SEARO, New Delhi today.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region signed the Agreement.
The initiative has been taken to support the WHO SEAR implementing the regional traditional medicine action plan, with particular emphasis on the safe and effective use of traditional medicine service including Ayurveda and other Indian traditional systems of medicine and its appropriate integration into national health care systems. Efforts will also be made to strengthen capacities of SEAR countries in the area of traditional medicine.
This partnership will also be joint efforts of Ministry of AYUSH and WHO in helping countries in the South-East Asia Region to develop policies and to implement action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine.
At the ceremony to mark the start of this partnership, WHO South East Asia Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, ‘The close collaboration of WHO and the Government of India goes back many decades, to the Basic Agreement both parties concluded on 16 July 1952, to fulfill mutual responsibilities in a spirit of friendly cooperation. Today’s agreement will formally extend this cooperation into the area of traditional medicine, which is a valuable tool in our shared quest to achieve universal health coverage.’
On this occasion, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India said that M/o AYUSH has already had various interaction with the WHO in the field of Ayurveda, Yoga and other Indian Traditional system of Medicine  and these Indian systems are getting more popular & being accepted as Medicinal system in the South- East Asian countries, African countries, European countries, Latin America etc..
As a major outcome of this partnership, Ministry of AYUSH and WHO would be working to identify various challenges faced by the member states of SEAR  in regulating, integrating and further promoting of Traditional systems of Medicine in the respective countries. Further, Ministry of AYUSH and WHO will assist Member States to develop appropriate policy/regulation framework, exchange of information/activities performed for integration of TM in public health and dissemination of information about TM to the community, said Secretary, AYUSH.
On this occasion, the Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India and the WHO SEAR office also agreed to launch a public health research project on COVID. The project is jointly supported by WHO SEARO and Ministry of AYUSH.
MV/SJ
(Visitor Counter : 570
Ministry of Defence
Inauguration of NDA Chowk in Pune
NDA Chowk was dedicated to the nation by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highway on 12 August 2023. On display at NDA Chowk are tank T - 55 of Indian Army, MIG - 27 fighter aircraft of Indian Airforce and scaled model of aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant of Indian Navy. These war machine symbolizes the jointmanship which the National Defence Academy nutures amongst its cadets who pass out from its portals to become officers in the three services. NDA Chowk embodies the shared commitment of our armed forces for territorial integrity and sovereignty of our nation. The NDA Chowk also recognises the value that our armed forces embody and is a testament to the unwavering spirit of our great nation.
Ministry of Power
NTPC seeks bids for procurement of biomass pellets to co-fire thermal power plants
Co-firing to help combat air pollution caused by burning of crop residue
co-firing to also help create large scale rural employment opportunities in processing as well as supply chain for biomass
NTPC Ltd, India's largest power producer and a PSU under Ministry of Power, has invited bids for procurement of biomass pellets for its various thermal plants on the basis of Domestic Competitive Basis  as part of its endeavour to reduce burning of crop residue on farmlands that cause air pollution. The power producer has envisaged consumption of five million tonnes of pellets in the current year at its 17 its power plants including NTPC Korba , NTPC Farakka , NTPC Dadri , NTPC Kudgi , NTPC Sipat , and NTPC Rihand .
As per a statement issued by NTPC Ltd, it had first undertaken this unique initiative on pilot basis in 2017 for biomass co-firing by replacing some of the coal with pellet based fuel at NTPC Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. Post successful implementation, NTPC now plans to replicate the model in 17 of its state of the art plants. The invitation for bids would be done through e-tendering at SRM Portal. The bidding process will be followed by the Single Stage, Two Envelope Bidding System.
NTPC is confident that co-firing will help create large scale rural employment opportunities in processing as well as supply chain for biomass. The power producer will give preference to bids from suppliers from Punjab and Haryana. The bidders needs to notify NTPC about the relevant provisions of the bidding documents before submitting their bids. NTPC had fired 100 tonne of agro residue based pellets at Dadri, Uttar Pradesh in 2017. The test-firing was carried out in four phases, with gradual increase in percentage of firing from 2.5% to 10% along with coal. Till date, the company has fired more than 7,000 tonne of agro residue pellets.
As per estimates, about 145 MMTPA of crop residue remains unutilised and most of it is burnt in India in the open fields, creating severe air pollution that leads to health issues. Open burning of agro residue is considered a major contributor to the surge in PM 2.5 in Northern India in post-harvesting season.
With its gross calorific value comparable to the bituminous coal, the power generation potential of the entire 145 MMTPA biomass burnt through co-firing in coal-based power plants is equivalent to 28,000-30,000 MW of round the clock generation of renewable power which can produce the same amount of electrical energy as can be produced from solar capacity of 125,000-150,000 MW.
With a total installed capacity of 62.9 GW, NTPC Group has 70 Power stations comprising of 24 Coal, 7 combined cycle Gas/Liquid Fuel, 1 Hydro, 13 Renewables along with 25 Subsidiary & JV Power Stations. The group has over 20 GW of capacity under construction, of which 5 GW comprises of renewable energy.
RCJ/M
(Visitor Counter : 783
Prime Minister's Office
PMAY is making lives of mother and daughters easier: PM
The Prime Minister today responded to a tweet thread by Jammu Poonch MP Shri Jugal Kishore Sharma where the MP had narrated the massive change brought by a house under PM Awas Yojana in the life of Chanchala Devi of Poonch.
The Prime Minister said that PMAY is making lives of mother and daughters easier. He tweeted :
"जम्मू-कश्मीर की चंचला देवी जी की यह खुशी बताती है कि कैसे प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना से हमारी माताओं-बहनों का जीवन आसान हो रहा है।"
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses valedictory ceremony of Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Allahabad High Court
PM addresses valedictory ceremony of Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Allahabad High Court
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the valedictory ceremony of the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of the Allahabad High Court.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the Allahabad High Court is like a place of pilgrimage for our judiciary. He said those associated with the legal profession also played a vital role in our freedom struggle, and protected our people against colonialism.
He urged people to think about the India we want to create when we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022. He said every citizen should prepare a roadmap towards it.
The Prime Minister said that about 1200 obsolete laws have been scrapped by the Union Government since May 2014. He said technology is playing a key role in this century and there is a lot of scope for its use in the judiciary as well. He urged those involved in the startup sector to innovate on aspects where technology can help the judiciary.
PIB Headquarters
Head Mistress/Nursery Teacher and Ayah Vacancy in CRPF Montessori School on temporary basis
CRPF Group center Pallipuram has invited application for the vacancy of “Head Mistress/Nursery Teacher and Ayah” for Montessori School purely on temporary basis for 11 months.
Nursery trained teachers should have the qualification of Matriculation and above with Nursery Training Diploma Certificate from a recognized institution. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge in English, Hindi, Music, Dance and Painting or Trained ie. Junior Basic Training  qualified or Trained Graduates / Trained post graduates.
For Ayah, matriculation is preferable and should have experience in looking after children below 5 years. Monthly salary will be Rs. 9000/- for Headmistress cum Teacher, Rs.7000/- for Teacher and Rs. 4,500 for Ayah.
Interested candidates who fulfill the required qualification as above may submit application along with attested photocopies of Educational /Experience certificate etc. super scribing on the envelope “Application for the Post of Head Mistress/Nursery Teacher and Ayah in CRPF, Montessori School, Pallipuram” to DIGP, GC-CRPF, Pallipuram, Thiruvananthapuram-695316  by 24-04-2017. The interview will be held at 11.00 AM on 5th May 2017.
(Visitor Counter : 442
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the efforts of students of Jarbom Gamlin Law College for their proactive roles in the Legal Services Camp to create awareness amongst citizens
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised the efforts of students of Jarbom Gamlin Law College for their proactive roles in the Legal Services Camp to create awareness amongst citizens.
Responding to the tweet by Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Such an effort is laudatory as it enhances awareness about aspects relating to the law and legal rights of people.”
Ministry of Women and Child Development
India undaunted in its journey to top under Prime Minister Modi : Union Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani
India is moving strongly on the path of becoming more resilient, capable and stronger, and its mission to become the world superpower in next 25 years has gained unprecedented momentum under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, said Smt. Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women And Child Development, and Minority Affairs, while speaking at the closing ceremony of Free Mega Multi-Specialty Health Check-up Camp in Chandigarh today.
The Union Minister, Smt. Irani also donated blood at the camp and also distributed certificates among 100 women who were provided skill-development training in bakery, cookery and sewing under the Sashakt Nari initiative of CWT.
She said that as the true leader of the people, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has shown that service to humanity is the biggest service one could render. She praised the efforts of the organisers of the camp for the noble cause of health for all.
People in large numbers availed the different healthcare services provided at the camp. The mega camp provided around a dozen health services to the residents of the city including Cancer detection, Eye-screening, Dental Check-up, General Health Check-up, Child health check-up, Orthopaedics, Mental Health Check-up, and Dermatology amongst others. Camp was organised by Chandigarh Welfare Trust , along with the NID Foundation and Chandigarh University Gharuan at Grain Market, Sector 39, Chandigarh, on the occasion of Seva Diwas, as part of the celebrations of honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 72nd birthday.